C711 Root of the Lunar Meridian

In the city of Asvetaesi.

The deep of night was accompanied only by the buzz of insects.

Moonlight cascaded like water, illuminating the alley across from the Yu family's estate. There, a striking figure, ethereal as a purple-clad fairy, materialized out of thin air.

She stood in silence, her gaze fixed on the Yu family's securely locked iron gate.

Shortly thereafter.

Qin Yun, the former sect master of the Midnightshields, rose into the air from the Yu family's compound and silently made his way into the alley. Catching sight of the figure in purple, he felt a jolt in his heart and softly addressed her, "Miss Ann."

Ann Ziqing, clad not in her purple divine armor but a flowing cloak, offered a slight smile and greeted him, "Hello, Mr. Qin."

"I am not worthy of such respect."

Qin Yun glanced around nervously, fearing that other Colddeath experts might have already encircled the Yu family. "The rumors of Mr. Yu's involvement with extraterrestrial evil demons are just that—rumors. The Yu family..."

He began to explain hastily.

"It's not a rumor," Ann Ziqing interjected, still smiling. "I witnessed it myself in Afnetalos City. There's no mistake."

Qin Yun, taken aback, then spoke as if deflated, "Miss Ann, what do you intend to do? Have you come here in the dead of night on behalf of Colddeath to strike at the Yu family?"

The news of Yu Yuan's betrayal of the Everlands and his collusion with extraterrestrial demons had spread from Gavanas City.

Lately, the Yu family had been living on edge, fraught with anxiety.

The ongoing conflict between the Shadowlight Empire and the Crimson Sun Empire, as well as the battles among the Sunblessed Empire, the Empire of Dawn, and the Stormcrown Empire, showed no signs of abating, despite the sects' involvement.

Aetherius was in complete turmoil.

Amidst this chaos, the damning rumors about Yu Yuan proliferated. Gao Zhengxing, the current mayor of Asvetaesi, was reportedly preparing to make a move against the Yu family.

Years before, a priestess of Colddeath had infiltrated the Yu family, posing as a maid to Yu Yuan. From the shadows, she orchestrated chaos that nearly brought the city to its knees.

Her schemes, along with those of Faang Yao and Yu Yuan, ultimately failed, preventing a disciple from achieving the Lunar Spirit.

Qin Yun suspected that Ann Ziqing's sudden return to Asvetaesi was undoubtedly fueled by a desire for vengeance.

Qin Yun was unaware of the secret relationship between the An family of the Colddeath and the Evil King, Yu Xi.

"All members of the Yu family, evacuate to Thylethlume tonight and never return to Asvetaesi," Ann Ziqing commanded with a flash of determination in her eyes. "I will personally escort the Yu family tonight. Xu Zixi from Shadow's Keep is expected to arrive in Thylethlume tomorrow to handle the subsequent matters."

"Miss Ann?!" Qin Yun gasped.

"Inform the patriarch that we leave tonight, right now, without delay," Ann Ziqing urged, her patience waning. "By tomorrow morning, the Yu family will be in danger in Asvetaesi."

At her words, Qin Yun's face paled. "Miss Ann, what do you mean?"

Ann Ziqing gave a slight nod and gestured decisively, "Go, take care of it."

"Understood!"

Qin Yun bowed and hastily departed.

That night, a dense, blood-red light enveloped half of Asvetaesi.

Every member of the Yu family, whether in meditation or slumber, was roused and stealthily exited the city under the protection of the crimson glow.

The following morning, Yu Cen, the family elder, informed Mayor Gao Zhengxing that the Yu family had officially severed ties with Asvetaesi.

Within two days, the potent spiritual energy from the Forgotten Ruins spilled over into Thylethlume, quietly shrouding the town.

The spread of the Forgotten Ruins' spiritual energy to Thylethlume served as a distinctive beacon for Shadow's Keep.

Thenceforth, Thylethlume became a small town on the frontier of the Forgotten Ruins, under the auspices and protection of Shadow's Keep.

...

In Gavanas, within the secret chamber of the Chamber of Commerce, Zhu Peining, Python Queen Xu Zixi, and Ann Ziqing convened.

"Miss Ann, we are deeply grateful for your initiative in safely extracting the Yu family from Asvetaesi," Xu Zixi said earnestly. "We were already too late when we learned of Gao Zhengxing's intentions against the Yu family. Without your preemptive action, the outcome could have been dire."

Reflecting on the possibility of the Yu family's downfall and Yu Zhu's inevitable return to seek justice, her sense of gratitude intensified.

Ann Ziqing's smile was tranquil. "The misdeeds of Yu Yuan should not bring calamity upon the entire Yu family."

"Shadow's Keep will take care of the Yu family due to Yu Zhu's exceptional status," Xu Zixi mused. "She's about to return to Gavanas. Once she's back, many issues will be effortlessly resolved."

After a brief pause, the Python Queen added, "Except for the issue of Yu Yuan's betrayal of the Everlands."

That was a problem no one could resolve.

Zhu Peining was startled. "Has she advanced to the eighth level?"

"Yes, she's now an eighth-level archdemon," confirmed Xu Zixi with a nod. "Upon her return, she'll oversee the Forgotten Ruins. Even Unbound cultivators won't find any advantage there. With her protection, this treasure trove of spiritual energy should remain safe from malevolent entities."

Ann Ziqing appeared equally astonished as she remarked, "Congratulations to Shadow's Keep for nurturing such an extraordinary talent."

"Shadow's Keep took her under their wing, led out from the Serpent Spine Mountains by Yu Yuan himself. It was his persuasion that convinced her to join, and that's why she's willing to shield the Yu family and Thylethlume," Xu Zixi clarified.

"Miss Ann, do you possess the Glacial Storm Seal from the Obsidian Thunder Sect?" inquired Zhu Peining abruptly.

Ann Ziqing narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. "How did the Skyreach Consortium come by this information?"

"Qi Yunhong," replied Zhu Peining.

"Ah, it was him," Ann Ziqing said with a soft chuckle, nodding in affirmation. "Indeed, the Glacial Storm Seal is in my possession."

"The Thunder Sect is ready to make a generous offer for it," Zhu Peining said, her spirits buoyed.

"If I had any intention of selling the Glacial Storm Seal, I would've negotiated directly with the Thunder Sect. Why would I need to go through you?" Ann Ziqing's smile radiated. "The Glacial Storm Seal has significant use within the Colddeath."

"What does the Colddeath need the Glacial Storm Seal for?" asked Zhu Peining, her curiosity piqued.

As Ann Ziqing was about to respond, her body shuddered slightly, her skin instantly enveloped in a gentle, blood-red luminescence. Her captivating eyes turned a deep crimson.

She lightly licked the corner of her lips and smiled, "What a coincidence indeed."

As the goddess of the Colddeath sect, she was the one who had bestowed the red token. When it flew from Yu Yuan's Bracelet of Holding and embedded itself into the disciple's divine armor, she sensed it through the sect's unique artifacts.

This confirmed that Yu Yuan had, without realizing it, arrived at the Land of Terror.

"What coincidence?" Xu Zixi inquired with curiosity.

"Nothing." Ann Ziqing stood and made her way out, continuing as she walked, "The Glacial Storm Seal is devastatingly powerful against the Star-Spawned Terror and all ghosts and spirits. Its destructive effect is somewhat lessened against higher-level Sky Fiends that have formed a corporeal body."

"However, against the ghosts and spirits of the Land of Terror, the Glacial Storm Seal is unfailingly effective."

"The Devil Palace has allied with a Ghost King from the Land of Terror. Colddeath, too, has a secret pact with one of the Ghost Kings. As the Boulderdawn sect approaches, the spirits of the Land of Terror grow restless. Colddeath must also assist our allies in their endeavors."

With that, she departed from the Skyreach Consortium's secret chamber.

Upon exiting, she swiftly moved to the large teleportation circle constructed by the Ethereal Void Sect in Gavanas.

"Take me to the teleportation circle nearest to the Land of Terror."

...

In the Land of Terror, atop a dark brown mountain peak.

Guided by Liu Linzhi, Yu Yuan piloted the Crucible of Evil into a cave situated midway up the mountain.

The voice of the cauldron spirit's remnant soul echoed in his mind.

"The mountains and hills in the Land of Terror are known as Shadow Mountains. As the name suggests, Shadow Mountains are renowned for their abundance of Yin Qi. Ghosts and spirits can draw upon the Yin Qi within these mountains to fortify their souls, much like humans and Fellbeasts gather spiritual energy for cultivation. Ghosts and spirits, however, refine their souls with Yin Qi."

"The Yin Qi is most sparse at the summit of Shadow Mountain, becoming denser as one descends."

"Each mountain's king resides at its base, for deep beneath this region lies the most extraordinary Lunar Meridian. The Root of the Lunar Meridian originates in the Land of Terror, yet it extends throughout the entire realm."

"There's a belief that when the Land of Quiescence is at its most chaotic, when wars rage most fiercely, and when death tolls are at their highest, the Yin Qi in the Land of Terror is at its densest. Take, for instance, the period of relentless warfare among the various empires on the Aetherius Continent, or the battles between the cultivators from the Land of Terror and Euwrea Continent."

"Every soul that vanishes, be it a mortal or a cultivator, will eventually be drawn to the Lunar Meridian after their spirit dissipates into the cosmos. The Root of the Lunar Meridian lies beneath the Land of Terror. The ascending Yin Qi seeps into the peaks, infusing every Shadow Mountain with its essence and giving rise to an abundance of ghosts."

"Currently, the Everlands are engulfed in utter turmoil, with innumerable souls perishing. This era is the golden age for the Land of Terror!"

"It's also the long-awaited prime time for all the Ghost Kings and Spectres!"

​